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NRPRVAPRTVORITEEET 1 ond OAT ep i See NR PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2000 - 1§ Study examined effects on high school staff Teachers' sick time down with larger work load By Rik Davie Special to the Star A report on the health effects of increased teaching time for Durham sec- ondary school teachers came back to the Durham District School Board with some surprising results: Sick leave is down. The report by Craig Burch, superinten- dent for employee relations, was carried out after concerns were raised by Whitby high school teacher Larry Simpson. He said that after completing a semester of dealing with increased classroom teach- ing time, he had experienced more ill- ness. Mr. Simpscn was critical of the board for not keeping records on the effects of the new teaching schedule on the health of teachers. Mr. Burch said at the time that he would have the report done, even though it would take a staff member away from regular duties for some time. The report was given to trustees Monday night (May 15), and the figures were surprising. According to Mr. Burch, the board studied 13 secondary schools across the Students tackle tobacco region, and excluded teachers with dual roles such as librarians and guidance counselors. The study looked at teachers currently with schedules requiring them to teach three of four classes, 3.5 of four classes, and four of four classes. Average sick days taken by those teaching three of four was 4.26; the aver- age for those teaching 3.5 of four was 3.34, and average for those teaching the highest workload was a surprising 4.24, slightly lower than those teaching a lighter class load. - Many Durham high school teachers have been refusing to take part in extracurricular activities, citing an inabili- ty to cope with the longer teaching times. Teachers present at the board meeting declined to comment on the report. Director of Education Grant Yeo said that he found the figures gratifying and was sure that other boards, many of whom may be faced with increasing teaching hours under new government regulations, will find the study of inter- est. in day-long workshop Students from across Durham Region will cele- brate World No Tobacco Day next week by partici- pating in "Teens Tackling Tobacco," a day long interactive workshop. The students will develop strategies for addressing the important health issue of tobacco use among their peers. "Teens Tackling Tobacco" provides Grade 7 and 8 students with an opportunity to share ideas, while. enhancing leadership and commu- nication skills to help them implement a peer- led tobacco use preven- tion strategy at their school. The average age at which regular smoking begins is 12 to 14 years. If students can remain smoke-free until age 18, they will most likely be smoke-free for life. The workshop will fea- ture guest speaker Police Constable Brad Durst of the Durham Regional Police Service who will speak on communication and leadership skills. The event takes place Wednesday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Durham District School Board Education Centre, 400 Taunton Rd. E,, Whitby. The workshop is host- ed by Durham Lives, a coalition of community partners. [NORTH RIDGE (former location of Van Camp EXCAVATIN Contracting Limited) / IT'S MORE | THAN MARKET! Open Weekend's : | all year round! Let Blizzard Sat. Sam.-4pm. Bear give you Sun. 9am.-4pm. some "Blizzard e Hundreds of Vendors = -- ® Huge Fruit & Vegetable Market 7 e Children's Playground, | Petting Zoo and Pony Rides | I * Restaurants, Snack Bars I -.. Blirzard B | 6) &:BBQ's Ail ri $ e Butchers, Deli's & Bakers Ask about our Af 7 N / A A 7 / EES <H 2, - ot] LJ } { <9 Excavating - Grading - Site Work - Sand - Gravel - Top Soil - Triple Mix - Septic Systems * SAME PLACE * SAME GREAT SERVICE! 90 Vanedward Dr., Port Penty cai... (905) 985-8469 e Plus Bingo every night of the calendar of events next week but Tues. & Thurs. 7 pm time you visit the Market! CALENDAR OF EVENTS FUN FUN CLASSIC CAR SHOW © $KI-D0O SHOW HOME/GARDEN SHOW | VISIT US AT: www.stouffvillemarket.com 12555 10th Line North, Stouffville, Ontario (905) 640-3813 Lo GL 1 | ore ea -------- -- -- A